One day, Han Maode returned from a stroll through the village, frowning as he spoke. “In the last few days, the village has been buzzing with rumors that the deaths of Han Xingwang and Liu Jiahua were strange. Han Xingwang’s health had been declining for two years, so his death isn’t surprising, but Liu Jiahua was quite healthy. How could she just drop dead like that?”
Sixth Aunt Han from next door had even teased that Han Xingwang and Liu Jiahua must have shared a deep bond—”the wife following the husband.” When Han Xingwang left, she couldn’t bear it and chased after him.
Of course, this was merely a joke. No one in the village knew Liu Jiahua better than they did; she was a thoroughly selfish old woman who didn’t even care for her biological son or share a piece of meat with her family. Would such a person give up her life to follow Han Xingwang?
Han Shubuo looked silently at his father and noticed that Han Ze was not at all surprised. The boy realized in his heart that his father had likely intervened. It made sense; even if his grandmother hadn’t been kind to his father and had even plotted against him, she was still his biological mother. His father could not allow her to be murdered.
Han Jixue also heard the village rumors. Panic began to set in, but he maintained a calm facade. Han Chengming and Han Jiwen observed his reaction, and a deep worry began to brew in their hearts as well. Fearing that the truth might be discovered, they kept an even lower profile.
A few days later, officers from the yamen suddenly arrived and arrested Han Chengming’s entire family. The brothers Han Chengzong and Han Chengnu had somehow caught wind of the situation and reported them for murdering their parents.
Han Chengming felt a sense of finality, and he actually let out a sigh of relief. His son had killed his parents, and while he felt a bone-chilling coldness in his heart, he couldn’t bring himself to punish Han Jixue for the sake of his other two sons. He had covered it up, resulting in sleepless nights. He dreamed of his parents cursing him for being unfilial, for not seeking revenge, and for letting their wicked grandson go free…
He was often jolted awake by nightmares. The image of his parents’ haunting eyes and the phrase “never a good end” lingered in his mind. Now, he finally didn’t have to hide it anymore. He no longer had to endure the condemnation of his conscience.
Han Jiwen was never a brave soul. After just a few strikes of the board, he blurted out everything he had seen and heard.
Lying under the board, Han Jixue glared hatefully at Han Jiwen.
Seeing that look, Han Chengming no longer wanted to cover for him. This boy was a venomous snake. He said despairingly, “It was Han Jixue who murdered my parents.”
Han Jixue looked at his father in disbelief. Had his father given up on him?
The gaze Han Chengming returned was cold as ice. To be able to kill the grandparents who doted on him—this wasn’t a son; this was a beast.
The news that Han Jixue had murdered his grandparents was so heinous that it caused a sensation throughout the county. The villagers never imagined that the seemingly filial, polite boy who always had a smile for others could be so sinister and ruthless. If he could lay a hand on his own grandparents, then anyone who accidentally offended him wouldn’t even know how they died.
The killer was brought to justice, and the matter was settled. Han Ze stopped concerning himself with outside affairs and focused on observing the mourning period. Although Han Shubuo could not take the Metropolitan Exams the following year, his teacher assigned him tasks—reading two books a month and writing a policy essay every day. He was busier than ever.
Three years later, the Metropolitan Exams arrived again. As Han Shubuo packed his bags for the capital, Han Ze’s family suddenly realized that Han Chengming’s family had disappeared from the village at some point, having sold all their land. Han Ze didn’t take it to heart. With Liu Jiahua dead, their final connection was severed. Where they went had no impact on him.
…
Han Shubuo did not disappoint; he took first place as the Zhuangyuan and entered the Hanlin Academy. He wrote back, asking the family to move to the capital to live with him, but Han Ze refused. The son was grown and needed to fly on his own. If Han Ze was always behind him, providing protection, when would he ever be truly independent?
Shubuo was disappointed, but he knew his father’s temperament. Besides, his grandfather was old and didn’t want to endure the hardships of a long journey.
As the children grew day by day, Shucui, Shuxuan, and Shuqi also married. Han Shubuo married his teacher’s niece, and Han Ze was quite satisfied with her.
In this life, although Han Ze did not achieve greatness in officialdom, his children lived happy lives, his family was in harmony, and the elders lived out their final years in peace. To him, that was the greatest achievement.
[Congratulations, Task-taker, for completing the task: Change the fate of the Original Body’s family. Reward: 1000 points.]
…
Han Ze returned to the task space. Hearing the system’s rusty voice again, he didn’t want to waste time and said directly, “Proceed to the next task.”
[System: Understood.]
…
Han Ze found himself lying on a bed. Before he even opened his eyes, his nose was filled with the rich scent of sandalwood. The quality was excellent, suggesting the host’s family was well-off. He opened his eyes slowly. It was daytime. Feeling the silk mattress beneath him and looking around at the room’s golden brilliance, his lip twitched. This decor wasn’t just “well-off”—it reeked of a nouveau riche atmosphere.
Before he could contact the system for memories, a maid walked in and interrupted his thoughts.
The maid was quite pretty. Seeing Han Ze awake, she said in a crisp voice, “The Prince is awake?”
Prince?
Han Ze curled his lip and gave a noncommittal “Mm.”
The maid continued, “Prince, Heir Shen has arrived.”
Han Ze gave another “Mm” and said, “Understood.”
The maid gave him a strange look. Han Ze looked back at her. Not understanding the gaze, she looked at him hesitantly. Han Ze grew impatient; without memories, he didn’t know if this “Heir Shen” was a friend or foe. He said, “Bring water; I wish to wash up.”
The maid froze, then realized the Prince had just woken up and couldn’t see a guest looking disheveled. Furthermore, Heir Shen was the Prince’s honored guest. She had been foolish; hearing Heir Shen had arrived, she had rushed in to report. She gave a smile and a bow. “Yes, this servant will bring water immediately.”
Once she left, Han Ze contacted the system. “Transfer the memories.”
[Understood.]
Before he could finish absorbing the memories, the maid returned with water. Having the memories, he now knew her name was Diejin. The Original Body had grown up poor and loved gold and silver; he named all his servants after precious metals.
Diejin stepped forward to help him wash, but Han Ze waved her off. “I’ll do it myself.”
Diejin stepped back, unsurprised. When the Prince first arrived from the countryside, his face would turn red just seeing the maids, and he couldn’t speak properly. Though he had changed a bit, he still wasn’t used to being served so closely.
Once he finished washing, Diejin brought him a deep purple outer robe. Han Ze put it on, looked himself over, and seemed dissatisfied. He frowned. “Go get that gold-inlaid belt the Emperor gave me. And my gold rings—put them on every finger. These fingers look empty; it doesn’t fit my status as a Prince…”
Diejin frowned in disapproval. “Prince, Miss Shen has an elegant temperament. She always dresses in simple, refined styles. She is brilliant and well-read; such a lady is indifferent to fame and wealth. She likely won’t appreciate a man covered in gold and silver.”
If you want to please Miss Shen, how can you be so vulgar as to cover yourself in gold?
Han Ze scratched his head. “B-but I like it…”
Diejin asked, “Does the Prince still want to marry Miss Shen?”
Han Ze’s face turned slightly red.
Diejin asked again, “Then in your heart, is gold more important, or Miss Shen?”
Han Ze lowered his gaze, seemingly weighing who was more important.
Diejin gritted her teeth. “Prince, gold is important, but you have already ruined Miss Shen’s virtue. She might even be carrying your child. In your heart, is gold more important than your own offspring? If the Emperor found out…”
Han Ze looked aggrieved and said hurriedly, “Gold and Miss Shen are both important! Both!”
“Then are you still wearing the gold rings?”
Han Ze shook his head reluctantly. “No. Why doesn’t Miss Shen like gold?”
Diejin let out a sigh of relief.
…
After changing, Han Ze went to the reception hall. Though he hadn’t finished receiving the memories, he knew exactly who this Heir Shen was and what role he played. The “Miss Shen” Diejin mentioned was the Heir’s sister.
Heir Shen Jiaqing was dressed in white, looking handsome and refined like a piece of polished jade. Seeing Han Ze, he gave a reserved bow. “Greetings, Prince.”
Han Ze gave a “simple” laugh. “Jiaqing, I told you not to be so formal. Why are you still bowing?”
Shen Jiaqing showed a flash of restraint, then said with a smile, “Etiquette cannot be discarded.”
Han Ze chuckled and sat in a chair. “You’re just too polite. Sit, Jiaqing.”
Only then did Shen Jiaqing sit respectfully. Han Ze said, “Jiaqing, I know you like tea. These leaves are what I asked from my Da—my Imperial Father. Have a taste!” His tone was clearly trying to curry favor.
Shen Jiaqing took a sip. “Not bad. A clear, pleasant fragrance. Good tea.”
Han Ze smiled proudly. “I knew you’d like these things. I’ll pack some for you later… I’m different from you lot. I grew up poor, never having enough to eat or wear. I don’t care for anything else; I just love gold and silver. You and Miss Shen have helped me so much; I wanted to give you some gold, but Diejin said you don’t like those things and that giving you gold would be an insult. I wondered how anyone could dislike gold, but meeting you, I see it’s true.”
Shen Jiaqing felt stifled. He didn’t dislike gold at all—he was actually waiting for some to help his finances—but he smiled anyway. “Thank you, Prince.”
Han Ze waved a hand. “No thanks needed. You’re just too courteous, Jiaqing.”
Shen Jiaqing gave a faint smile. He didn’t want to be courteous at all. He looked at Han Ze and said casually, “Mingya hasn’t been able to eat for the past two days.”
Han Ze asked urgently, “What’s wrong? Is the food not to her taste?”
Shen Jiaqing shook his head and sighed. “As you know, Mingya has studied since she was small. She knows ‘Admonitions’ and ‘Regulations’; she knows shame. Now, for such a thing to happen in public before she is even married… even though she was framed, she feels she has failed her parents’ teachings. Her heart is troubled, and she cannot swallow her food.”
Hearing this, Han Ze said distressfully, “It’s my fault. I’ve harmed her. I’ll go to the palace immediately and beg Imperial Father to decree a marriage.”
Shen Jiaqing was delighted.
Then Han Ze changed the subject: “But Imperial Father said he settled on Qian Xiangxiang, the daughter of the Duke of Zhen, as my Principal Consort. Miss Shen is a woman of high character; she wouldn’t want to steal Qian Xiangxiang’s position…”
Shen Jiaqing’s expression darkened. He said sorrowfully, “After what happened, who else would marry Mingya? She said if she cannot marry, she’ll just cut her hair and become a nun in a temple. She refuses to fight Qian Xiangxiang for you.”
Han Ze was moved. “She… she can’t become a nun!”
Shen Jiaqing nodded. “As her brother, how can I watch her become a nun? I can only ask the Prince to find a way.”
Han Ze stood up. “I’ll go to the palace right now and ask Imperial Father to grant me a marriage with Miss Shen. Anyway, he only said he wanted Qian Xiangxiang to be my consort; he hasn’t issued the decree yet. It should be fine.”
Shen Jiaqing breathed a sigh of relief. To marry a “straw-bag” Prince was already a humiliation for Mingya; if she weren’t even the Principal Consort, how could she be a mere concubine to such a man?
As long as this idiot Prince went to the palace to ask for a decree, their family would have a Princess Consort.
…
Han Ze went to the palace. When Emperor Mingzheng heard his “silly son” had arrived, a smile touched his authoritative face. The atmosphere in the Hall of Clear Hearts relaxed. He called out to the eunuch, “Let the boy in.”
Han Ze strode in boldly, shouting as he walked, “Dad! Dad, I’ve come to see you!”
The Emperor shook his head with a smile. “This boy… always so impulsive.”
The ministers nearby suppressed a shudder at the Emperor’s tone.
Han Ze entered and knelt, kowtowing several times with a loud “thump.” The Emperor felt a pang of pity and said, “There’s no need to kowtow like that.”
Han Ze gave a silly smile and shouted, “Dad! Oh, wait—Imperial Father.”
The Emperor was amused. He beckoned him forward. “Just call me Dad. What brings you to the palace?”
Han Ze said, “I told you I don’t like saying ‘Imperial Father.’ ‘Dad’ sounds much better.”
The Emperor burst into laughter.
Seeing him laugh, Han Ze said loudly, “Dad, I want to get married.”
The Emperor knew what had happened to his son outside. Hearing this, he wasn’t surprised. He waved the ministers away. Once only his trusted staff remained, he asked intentionally, “How about I decree your marriage to Qian Xiangxiang right now?”
Han Ze said unhappily, “Dad, I don’t like that Qian Xiangxiang. Decree my marriage to Miss Shen of the Marquis of Yongchang’s house instead.”
The Emperor gave a thoughtful “Oh” and turned stern. “The command of parents and the words of a matchmaker. I feel you and Qian Xiangxiang are a better match.”
Han Ze grew bashful. After a long pause, he said embarrassedly, “B-but I’ve already ruined Miss Shen’s virtue.” His face turned a deep red.
The Emperor looked at him with amusement, teasing him on purpose. “You were in your palace, and she was in hers. How did you ruin her virtue? Are you trying to trick your Dad? Do you want to be beaten?”
Han Ze pursed his lips. “It was at the banquet at the house of the Count of Wenxing. I don’t know what happened, but I woke up lying next to Miss Shen, and everyone saw us…”
The Emperor frowned. He hadn’t known about this. “You went to a banquet—why did you fall asleep? Where were your servants?”
Han Ze frowned and shook his head. “I don’t know.”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. “Did you really ruin Miss Shen’s virtue?”
Han Ze was shy, and his words stumbled. “We were… n-naked, lying together…”
The Emperor snapped in rage, “You brat! Lying together doesn’t mean something actually happened! Don’t you even know if you ruined a girl’s virtue? How were Xinghui and Danzhu even born?”
Han Ze shuddered but still said, “Don’t wrong me, Dad. I’m not stupid; I know if I ruined someone’s virtue or not. Besides, I’m a man—how would I give birth? Xinghui and Danzhu weren’t born from me; they were born from their mother! She even had a difficult labor!”
The Emperor was caught between laughter and rage. He’d been plotted against and still claimed he wasn’t stupid. “You are just a silly boy.”
Seeing him laugh, Han Ze wasn’t bothered by being called silly. He pushed his luck: “Dad, I’m not silly; I’m smart! I found you a daughter-in-law who can read and write! Hurry and decree the marriage. Miss Shen is about to become a nun because of me. I want to marry her as my Princess Consort.”
Hearing about a daughter-in-law who could read, the Emperor felt a fleeting moment of sadness. He composed himself, narrowed his long eyes at his son, and said gently, “A marriage decree is a major affair; a lucky day must be chosen. Once I choose a day, I will decree it. Don’t cause a scene.”
“I’m so obedient; I’m not causing a scene.” Han Ze was overjoyed. He added, “I knew Dad loved me the most.”
“If you know I love you, then don’t irritate me.”
“I’m not irritating you!”
The Emperor didn’t want to deal with him anymore. “Go see your mother. She was just complaining that you haven’t visited in so long.”
“I’ll go see Mom right now!”
The Emperor watched his retreating back and shook his head with a smile. “You call him silly, yet he knows how to please people. You call him smart, yet he’s been plotted against again.” By the end, his face turned cold. Han Ze’s nature was simple; if some people were begging for death, he wouldn’t be merciful.
The Head Eunuch, Hu Deyang, shrank his shoulders. He didn’t dare judge whether the Prince was silly or smart. The Emperor said, “Have someone investigate.” He wanted to see who dared to plot against his son.
…
Han Ze walked out of the hall and smiled. The Emperor would surely investigate the framing of the Original Body.
That Shen Mingya was truly bold—daring to plot against the Prince while already pregnant with another man’s child. She likely thought that since the Prince’s brain had been damaged by a fever in childhood, he would be easy to control. The Original Body had been fooled, raising her child as his own and even making that “wild seed” his heir, which harmed his children from the countryside.
In the original memories, after Shen Jiaqing’s visit, the Prince had rushed to the palace to ask for the decree. The Emperor had asked the same question about whether he’d ruined her virtue, and the Prince had sworn he had. He insisted on making her his Principal Consort, leaving the Emperor no choice but to issue the decree immediately.
This time, Han Ze had been vague, causing the Emperor to doubt. This delayed the decree and ensured the Emperor would investigate the Count’s banquet. That marriage decree was now a long way off.
Han Ze went to the Kunning Palace. When the Empress saw him, she beckoned him over affectionately. Han Ze leaned against her as the Original Body used to and said, “Mom, I missed you so much.”
The Empress tapped his forehead. “If you missed me, why haven’t I seen you? I think you only miss me with your mouth.”
“I miss you with my mouth and my heart!”
She laughed, her eyes full of maternal love. “Alright, I believe you. Sit up straight. What does it look like, leaning against me like that?”
Han Ze pouted and sat up. Seeing him behaving, the Empress gestured to someone behind her. “Xiangxiang, come over here.”
Qian Xiangxiang glanced at the seated Han Ze and stepped forward shyly. She curtsied. “Your Majesty!” Then she looked at Han Ze. “Prince!”
Only then did Han Ze “notice” there was someone else in the room. He looked at Qian Xiangxiang and his lip twitched. This was the Principal Consort the Emperor had chosen for him. She was covered in gold and silver jewelry. She perfectly matched the Original Body’s aesthetics. The Emperor truly understood his son; choosing her was an act of fatherly love. It was a shame Shen Mingya had ruined it.
If the Original Body hadn’t been tricked, marrying this girl would have resulted in a peaceful life, even if they weren’t deeply in love.
The Empress smiled at Han Ze, holding Qian Xiangxiang’s hand. “This is Xiangxiang. Don’t you feel she’s familiar?”
Han Ze blinked blankly. The Empress pointed at the gold jewelry on the girl. “Look at all that gold. Doesn’t it feel familiar?”
Han Ze’s eyes widened. He looked at the girl with curiosity. “You like gold too?”
Qian Xiangxiang felt awkward. “I… I’ve liked gold since I was little…”
She wanted to find a hole to crawl into. She had loved gold since childhood, and her sisters often mocked her for being “vulgar” and “smelling of copper,” saying no one would want a bride like her. But even so, she still loved it. She worried if the Empress and the Prince would punish her for it, but mostly she feared involving her parents.
Han Ze looked as if he had found a soulmate. “I love gold too!”
The girl looked at him in disbelief. “Really?”
Han Ze nodded vigorously. “Of course! Gold is so shiny and lovely! I really don’t understand why people dislike it.”
Her eyes went wide, reflecting the light. “Yes, yes! Shiny gold! You can make jewelry with it, and you can buy so many delicious things and fun toys…”
Han Ze laughed loudly. “Yes! My maid won’t let me wear my gold rings; she says it’s vulgar. How can gold be vulgar? With gold, you can buy food. When I was hungry as a child, I dreamed of living in a house made of gold so I would never go hungry again.”
Qian Xiangxiang imagined a house made of gold. “If one could live in a gold house, wouldn’t that be the life of an immortal?”
Han Ze added, “It would be happier than an immortal’s life!”
The Empress, listening to the two talk about gold this and gold that, couldn’t help but feel her lip twitch.
…
When Qian Xiangxiang left the palace, she felt she hadn’t talked enough. Everyone called the Prince a “straw-bag” and even a “fool,” but she felt they were all lying. How could a Prince who loves gold be a fool?
Only someone who doesn’t like gold is a true fool. Gold can buy anything, yet they don’t like it? If that isn’t foolishness, what is?
Once she was gone, the Empress asked Han Ze with a smile, “What do you think of Qian Xiangxiang?”
Han Ze thought for a moment. “Qian Xiangxiang isn’t a fool. She’s smart.”
The Empress looked at him in confusion.
Han Ze said, “Mom, ever since I came to the capital, the people here have been very strange. Gold can buy many meat buns, yet those people don’t like it. If that isn’t foolishness, what is? Qian Xiangxiang likes gold and knows it can buy food; she is definitely smarter than those people.”
The Empress: “…”
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152